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PM covers a broad spectrum of issues relevant to all sections of Australia's geographically and culturally diverse community. It looks behind political, economic, industrial, business, social, cultural, rural, regional and arts stories. Below is the program summary with links to transcripts and audio (if available).

Labor accuses Nationals of selling-out on Telstra

The National Party has dropped its opposition to the full sale of Telstra, citing a marked improvement to telephone services in the Bush. Deputy Prime Minister and National Party leader John Anderson says the new funding deal locks in the benefits and improvements for the future to make sure another technological black-hole doesn't emerge. But the Labor Party has leapt on this change of heart to claim that the National Party has sold out its supporters. Shadow Communications Minister Lindsay Tanner says it's the last death rattle of a once great party.

QLD National Party Leader says no to Telstra sale

The Queensland National party does not agree with John Anderson's acceptance of the full sale of Telstra. The stated party policy is "no sale" yet some of Queensland's Federal National Party MP's are saying yes – Senator Ron Boswell for a start. Trying to sort it all out is Queensland National Party President Terry Bolger, who has to decide whether or not to discipline the defiant MP's.

Competition implications for Telstra sale

If the sale of Telstra does go through, just what will it mean for services and charges? Federal Government opponents argue a sale will leave ordinary Australians cruelly exposed to the harsh realities of a free market devoid of genuine competition. But supporters insist the current state of partial privatisation prevents Telstra becoming a true telco giant on the global stage.

Downer says law and order must be established first in Solomons

Australia is entering a new era of nation rebuilding and direct intervention in the Pacific. Prime Minister John Howard says a decision to offer police and troops to restore law and order in the Solomon Islands is a significant change in policy for Australia. He says Australia is ready to send in security forces but the final say on intervention will rest with the Solomon Islands Parliament which must authorise external help.

Government strikes ASIO deal with Opposition

The Federal Government's bid to give ASIO new powers to detain and question people who might have information about terrorism is now set to become law. The last remaining snag has been removed, with the Government and Opposition agreeing a short time ago on a mechanism allowing people to be held and interrogated for more than seven days, even if they are not themselves suspects in an investigation.

Bolkus raffle ticket affair rages on in Parliament

The raffle tickets affair doesn't look set to fade away, with the Federal Government repeating it's accusation that Labor's Senator Nick Bolkus took part in money laundering. Senator Bolkus has admitted selling raffle tickets to fugitive Philippino businessman Dante Tan and to his former business partner.

Situation in Baghdad critical

The International Committee of the Red Cross has described the situation within the Iraqi capital as critical, amid reports of increased fighting and attacks on vital infrastructure. The 6 million people in and around Baghdad have been without water and power for the past two days, after the apparent sabotage of a gas pipeline in the north-west of the country which feeds the capital's main power stations. And the situation has not been made any better by daytime temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celcius.

Government reduces war allowance for troops still in Iraq

Well, the Australian government seems to have changed its mind about the fact that war in Iraq is over. The combat allowance of $75 a day which the Australian forces received for being in a war zone was withdrawn earlier this month, but now an allowance of $25 a day has been re-instated.

Government's bid to change cross-media laws looking grim

The Government's bid to change the cross-media ownership rules is looking doomed tonight. The sticking point has been a move by the Tasmanian independent Brian Harradine to prevent a newspaper and a television station being owned by the same person in a capital city. The Senate has just voted for that change to the Government's bill. But the Government isn't likely to accept that.

Rugby League Players Association argues for player pay rise

Game two of rugby league's State of Origin series kicks off tonight in Sydney, and it's no wonder that those that run the game are smiling. The National Rugby League believes the three game series will return a $10 million profit. But a battle is looming that might remove some of that smile, because the players involved in tonight's match have seen the same figures, and they're not very happy about them. They want a bigger slice of the takings, arguing that rugby union players and cricketers earn much more as Ross Solly reports.